Anti-Terrorism Efforts in Central Illinois

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois established the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) to prepare, prevent, and prosecute all who target innocent Americans with the scourge of terrorism. Through information sharing, awareness initiatives, and training events, the ATAC seeks to equip law enforcement, first responders, and community leaders with the tools necessary to confront extremism wherever it exists, while also preserving the constitutional liberties that all Americans cherish.

Illinois Terrorism Task Force

The Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF) is charged with the task of assuring that Illinois is ready to respond to an act of terrorism. Due to the commitment of the members of the Task Force and the ability of the associated agencies to come together in a spirit of cooperation and teamwork, Illinois has plans in place to deal with a terrorist attack in our state

Department of Homeland Security

"If You See Something, Say Something" Campaign

In July 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at Secretary Janet Napolitano's direction, launched a national "If You See Something, Say Something" public awareness campaign –a simple and effective program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and violent crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper state and local law enforcement authorities. The campaign was originally used by New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which has licensed the use of the slogan to DHS for anti-terrorism and anti-crime efforts.

7 Signs of Terrorism

Surveillance Someone recording or monitoring activities, including the use of cameras (both still and video), note taking, drawing diagrams, writing on maps, or using binoculars or any other vision-enhancing device.

Elicitation Anyone or any organization attempting to gain information by mail, fax, telephone, or in person about military operations or people

Tests of Security Any attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures

Suspicious Persons Out of Place People who don't seem to belong in the workplace, neighborhood, business establishment, or anywhere else. This also includes suspicious border crossings, stowaways aboard ship, or people jumping ship in port.

Dry Run Putting people into position and moving them about without actually committing a terrorist act such as a kidnapping or bombing. An element of this activity could also include mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow.

Deploying Assets People and supplies getting into position to commit the act. This is the last opportunity to alert authorities before the terrorism occurs.